The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory in Iowa has been keeping a close eye on Molycorp, and now it's clear why—there's potential for new applications involving cerium, a rare earth element that could play a big role in the future of clean energy technologies.
Ames Lab recently received $4.5 million in funding from ARPA-E’s Rare Earth Alternatives in Critical Technologies (REACT) program to support two innovative research projects. These initiatives aim to reduce the country’s reliance on critical rare earth materials by exploring alternative solutions.
The first project focuses on developing a new class of high-strength permanent magnets using cerium. This research will explore combining cerium with other metals to create powerful, high-temperature stable magnets ideal for use in electric vehicle motors. Key partners include General Motors, NovaTorque, and Molycorp Minerals.
Cerium is four times more abundant than neodymium, which is currently used in most high-performance magnets. Molycorp is expected to be one of the top producers of cerium once its Mountain Pass mine reaches full production. Alongside lanthanum, cerium is among the most common rare earth elements available.
Molycorp will also provide essential support for the three-year, $2.2 million project, including materials supply chain development and commercialization planning. If successful, this research could open up a new path for magnet manufacturing using cerium—a resource more accessible in the U.S. than current alternatives.
Mark Johnson, ARPA-E Program Director for REACT, emphasized that the project represents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity. “If successful, the Ames-led team could transform the landscape of high-strength magnets,†he said.
The second project, led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in collaboration with Ames, aims to develop manganese-based composite magnets as a rare-earth-free alternative. These magnets have the potential to double magnetic strength while using cheaper, more abundant materials.
This initiative could significantly reduce the U.S. dependence on imported rare earths, lowering costs and improving efficiency in green technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles.
In 2011, the DOE allocated $156 million to ARPA-E for 60 high-risk, high-reward projects focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and national security. With these latest developments, the race to secure sustainable energy sources is heating up.
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